Transformational Development
Transformational development involves more than just economic growth. It is an approach to community welfare that takes into account spiritual, social, and economic well-being. Working alongside churches in some of the most marginalized communities around the world, we share hope and help through community savings, spiritual formation, and small businesses development. Our approach starts with families and extends to communities.
Five Talents impacts communities one family at a time.
Through participatory training, Five Talents helps individuals recognize local resources and talents, and mobilize them to create strong and sustainable businesses. As a business owner, the individual regains a sense of dignity and the cycle of poverty is broken in their family. With regular and growing income, program participants are able to cover basic needs of food and shelter, send their children to school, obtain needed medical care, and plan for the future.
This individual and family development takes place in the context of a nurturing and supportive community. Our program model revolves around the creation of savings and loan associations in partnership with the local church. By building trusting relationships, associations come together to learn, save, and invest for the betterment of their communities. In some cases they even decide to form cooperative businesses together.
In countries where there is little or no access to bank services, networking these associations through community banks offers a wider range of resources and services to the individual members. Community-owned and managed cooperative banks provide a center of stability and security and promote peace and economic development in the surrounding region.
By empowering families living in extreme poverty, Five Talents helps to establish a strong foundation for the church to build a sustainable and life-transforming ministry. In addition to the economic and social transformation that takes place through our programs, many participants provide testimony of a new relationship with God through Jesus Christ, renewed faith, and spiritual growth. The businesses they develop are built on a foundation of honesty, integrity, and wise stewardship and in their savings groups members learn to practice principles of kindness and generosity to their community. This is how we achieve transformational development.
Become a part of the transformation. Learn how you can partner with Five Talents: